Long-lasting, durable, rust-proof. No, not a family car. We must be talking about a wedding-ring. Or perhaps we have in mind what it symbolises. And why the fourth finger? Because people believe that has a vein going straight to the heart. Just as they used to believe that the navel was the entrance to the underworld. A baby born with a caul would never drown. A child born with a double crown would be lucky in money matters.
People still touch wood and say so. They are still careful about breaking mirrors. And at the placing of horse-shoes.
Unlike fashion, these taboos and good luck with black cats and four-leafed clover are seen as advisable. They are like the stars, they are an influence for good or evil. Mostly we have left many of of these practices behind. They are temporary, ephemeral, here today, gone tomorrow.
We look for that which endures.
And Shakespeare can help us here. His best known sonnet is probably ‘Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.’ That is where we find the phrase ‘time’s fool’. And I can do no better than recommend a search for the sonnet. It deserves a place somewhere near the trio in 1 Corinthians 13.
A STRATFORD BOY
Shakespeare was baptized and buried in the parish church of Stratford-upon Avon, a parish of 17,000 these days. Each year over 200,000 tourists visit the church. Among its numerous architectural features are 26 misericords. It is Stratford’s oldest building.
The Vicar of Holy Trinity, Stratford-upon-Avon is Patrick Taylor. The church has a full programme with ‘Exploring Christianity one of its features. Trinity Players was formed in 2007 for those who see drama as part of worship.
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